The Whales at Bientang’s Cave, Hermanus

My column this month for Expat Focus shares with you part of our great Cape Town excursion last year, including a visit to Hermanus. I enjoyed writing the column, as always, and I hope you will have even more enjoyment reading it. Please follow the link below to read the column. The Whales at Bientang’s … More The Whales at Bientang’s Cave, Hermanus

The First Time You Drive Through a Tree…

If you’re anything like me, the first time you encounter a giant redwood tree, you’ll realize just how small you are, how young you are, and how your idea of “majestic” has suddenly changed. Because that tree, which is thousands of years old, is really something special. Our first drive-through tree was the Chandelier Tree, … More The First Time You Drive Through a Tree…

Help! There’s a Boerboel on my Bird Feeder!

Today’s post is a guide for my husband. Knowing how I love birdwatching and the pretty calls of a little bird called a bulbul, he sometimes asks how my day was, followed by “And were there any boerboels on the feeder today, dear?” Boerboel: Bulbul: Part of the difficulty in remembering the names is that … More Help! There’s a Boerboel on my Bird Feeder!

This is Not a Tibetan Mastiff: Big Five Part One

If you regularly read the news, my title just told you what photo I’m posting today. For those who haven’t heard the absurdity, a Chinese Zoo was found to be (temporarily) scamming visitors by posing regular animals as exotic ones. An “African Lion” at the zoo was videotaped barking, because the zoo had replaced it … More This is Not a Tibetan Mastiff: Big Five Part One

Humans Acting Like Pets Acting Like Humans?

Yesterday I received an email from my nephew: . So, my friend Lisa sent me a picture of her dog, Copper… they were celebrating his second birthday.  I thought it was really funny, so I re-enacted it with a piece of peach cobbler instead of a cupcake. . . . It was too funny not … More Humans Acting Like Pets Acting Like Humans?

24 Books in 24 Months (by 24 South African Authors): Writer Wednesday!

Writer Wednesday is back…with a twist. Once per month I will tell you the latest book I’ve read by a South African author. I decided one way I can easily honor living in South Africa for the next couple years is to read at least one book per month by a different South African author … More 24 Books in 24 Months (by 24 South African Authors): Writer Wednesday!

It’s DNA Day! Is Marla a Skolt Saami from Scandinavia? Is She Related to Bono?

Has there ever been a BETTER reason to celebrate than DNA Day? Um, yeah, every other reason is better. DNA is boring, right? Well, kinda sorta maybe, but I’ve had fun with it. For instance, it was just lovely to find out about that hereditary blood-clotting mutation I have, the Factor V Leiden I told … More It’s DNA Day! Is Marla a Skolt Saami from Scandinavia? Is She Related to Bono?

Thursday Travel and Thanks: Baxter-the-Dog and our California Adventures

It’s Thursday! Some thanks, some quotes and a photo from my travels. Today’s gratitude is for our wonderful labrador retriever, Baxter. The photo is from a drive up the California coast; Highway One. “You ask of my companions.  Hills, sir, and the sundown, and a dog as large as myself that my father bought me.  … More Thursday Travel and Thanks: Baxter-the-Dog and our California Adventures

Three Dog Nights With Only One Dog and a Cat

While we wait for the contractor to tell us when he can dig a new gas pipeline from the road to the house, I am working on keeping my mood from getting too sour by reading and spending more quality time with my “fur blankets.” I did weights and interval training with my Trainer today, … More Three Dog Nights With Only One Dog and a Cat

A Coshocton Photo Blog from Baxter the Dog

Baxter says I can share some of his favorite Coshocton photos for today’s blog. I wish you could hear him the way I do. I hear his voice as a cross between Patrick the starfish from Spongebob, and Droopy the Dog; in other words the oafy quality of Patrick, but the wise and exhausted tone … More A Coshocton Photo Blog from Baxter the Dog